POULSBO — Spring Break is finally upon North Kitsap School District students. But before the Vikings took off for some fun in the sun for the holiday, they played host to Gig Harbor, Foss and Stadium for a quad track meet on a frigid afternoon March 31 at NK High School.
Despite less than ideal conditions, NK athletes performed admirably in their second home contest of the 2007 campaign.
“We don’t have a lot of numbers but we have good character kids who want to have some fun,” Viking girls coach Dave Snyder said. “This is what early season meets are all about.”
Snyder expects workouts to intensify once athletes return from vacation.
“Once we get back from Spring Break it’s going to be a lot more high tempo,” Snyder said. “It will get more competitive. Our team is working hard. We have a rock hard, solid team.”
NK athletes showed just how solid their team is by taking home 21 first-place finishes on Saturday.
On the boys’ side, junior Ray Reedy was among athletes who put forth a truly phenomenal effort. He earned two first-place finishes, in the 800 meter and the 3200M. Reedy led for the duration of the 800M, finishing with a time of 2:09.9. In the 3200M, a strong kick in the last 100 meters gave him the win with a time of 10:29.8.
Snyder said he expects great things out of Reedy as the season progresses.
“Ray’s doing well. He wants to get down to around two minutes in the 800,” Snyder said. “He’s right where he needs to be right now.”
One of strongest aspects of the 2007 boys’ squad — its 1600M relay — is also on track to reach its goals, Snyder said. The quartet of Graham Peach, Zac Simmons, Cody Bradwell and Nick Cameron earned first place on Saturday with a time of 3:42.18.
“We’re a pretty competitive 1600 relay team. We’ve had a 3:31 earlier in the year which was in the top two or three times in the state,” Snyder said. “Our goal is to get our time down to 3:25. We have a lot of good strong kids in this event. We will hit a groove soon.”
A leg on the 1600M relay team is one of the most sought after spots on the NK boys track & field roster. Competition is fierce for those coveted four spots.
“It’s pretty tough to make this relay team. We have eight guys fighting for four spots,” Snyder said. “It’s definitely one of our highlights.”
Other athletes on the NK boys squad who turned in highlights in the form of first place performances on Saturday included Zac Simmons (400M), Nick Cameron (1600M), Dylan Peterson (110M hurdles) Spencer Haley (shotput, discus, javelin), Aaron Bilbao (pole vault) and Jack Clearman (long jump).
On the girls’ side of the quad meet, North senior Jade Niemeyer captured first place in the shotput ring with a toss of 33-5. She also took first place in the discus with a throw of 77-5.
“We’re hoping she gets back to state,” Snyder said of Niemeyer. “She’s a leader out there for our team.”
Sprinter Jennifer Gregg also showed her leadership skills through competitive spirit, fending off Stadium, Foss and Gig Harbor runners at the finish line in the 200M. She won by the slimmest of margins, turning in a time of 28.92.
Other athletes on the girls squad securing first-place finishes included Kelly Cates (1600M, high jump), Shawna Williams (3200M), Christine Parker (100M hurdles), Michelle Lloyd (javelin) and Lindsay Kocker (triple jump, long jump).
